A research by scientists at the Atopy (Allergy) Research Center at the Juntendo University School of Medicine in Tokyo suggests that dust mites and their fecal droppings disrupt immune system in human skin and leave it vulnerable to other irritants.
Episodes of asthma and eczemas have been allied with dust mites even in previous studies conducted by other researchers. However the present study conducted in Tokyo comprehensively elucidates the reasons, which correlates these diseases with dust mites.An enzyme found in mites and their droppings has been noted which could trigger an allergic response in many. This was observed during the course of study conducted on mice. A solution containing the enzyme in question was applied all over the bodies of hairless mice, following which loss of moisture from the skin surface was noted. Researchers then studied the effect of giving the same rodents a coating of Riboflavin, an accepted substitute for allergen .The riboflavin was absorbed into the skin of those rodents which suffered loss of moisture from the skin.
It was inferred from the studies done that water loss from the skin indicates a disorder in skin barrier thus leaving the rodent more susceptible to persistent allergens.
The researchers have pointed out that dermatologists should take note of these findings which have provided substantial evidence to prove that skin allergies are indeed linked to dust mites.
The statistics recorded by W.H.O in 2005 presents a grim picture in regard to the increase in number of patients affected by asthma worldwide. Nearly 300 million of the world population was suffering from asthma in the year 2005, and about 255,000 succumbed to it according to official records.
Source-Eurekalert
SRM
